Lawyers Catherine Boies Parker Updates Case
2007.09.17 - 10:42 PM
A case that has been hanging over the heads of homeless people in Victoria for almost 2 years has been postponed by the Attorney General of British Columbia. One of the Lawyers working probono on behalf of the homeless updates the situation.
I believe it's crucical in this case that the constitutional challenge not be just about sleeping in parks but private land as well. City zoning restrictions disallow home and farm owners to allow people to live in tents, mobile homes or campers on their private land. Forcing rents high. I have had a passion for this matter for years. I could make strong arguments. I fear the opostition will try to derail the case from the true spirit of it's merit into wasted losing arguments over whether this basic freedom is good for society. The thrust is and should be that rights are to be garenteed by those Canadians outside of society also. Minority rights as well. Magority law should not persecute any minority. I would love to help Miss? Parker in her cases. How do I reach her? I am bekonwit@yahoo.ca
I'm seventh generation Canadian born. That's very native to Canada, but I'm not born to a tribe. With all of the money Canada got selling land, and printing money they should have saved enough to buy me a little slice. I am handicaped lucky to find and live in a slum apartment. I go crazy looking at walls. I need to feel my head on the earth as I star gaze myself to sleep feeling the breeezes and smelling the foliage. There's a hilly park nearby nobody uses. Surrey cuts down and lets rot in a stinky pile all the tall grasses so the police can see anybody trying to sleep there. I can't lay down there in the day either; I might fall asleep. Parks and beaches are closed at dusk. Many workers don't get home and showered untill dusk so they can't enjoy the beaches and parks This constitutional challenge needs to widen her scope. Anti sleeping in parks laws and anti being in the park laws are not only against the homless, but also all those who like to be outside of their homes. Where is my land? Parks are the only peice of Canada left for me in my chosen area.
We need some evidence about what one needs to stay warm and safe and dry on the streets. Anyone know of any studies, or who could give us an affidavit about the difference between sleeping with and without a tent - or what exactly is enough shelter? Also - we need an affidavit from someone with respect to Tent Cities that have worked. Who has contacts in the US (Portland??) that could help us?
I think that we are asking for access to basic human rights. It's bullshit to say all of this is too expensive. To say this is something that must be earned may be an indication of my own deprivation. I am an optimist and see that things may be getting better.
Each of our individual needs may be different at different times and places in our lives. I don't think that this is something that is easily measured or even worth measuring. Rather than measuring, instead spend energy on providing (and at least allowing) what is needed:
I think that most problems probably come from a lack of communication.
I heartily support the case for the right to sleep.
In its efforts to attempt to deal with its growing amount of Homeless. Because this is a charter challenge this means that everyone throughout this country can now have a oppurtunity to help create the destiny of the out come of the future for all the unhoused people in this country. Be aprt of making a new historic chapter and share your experiences and views and any pictures you may have of any tent city whether here in Canada or other countries.